With the start of federal REAL ID enforcement just around the corner, officials from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), the Erie International Airport, and the American Automobile Association (AAA), are encouraging Pennsylvanians to prepare now to ensure they can fly domestically without disruptions. These efforts reflect the Shapiro Administration’s commitment to ensuring residents have the information and opportunities they need to be ready for federal REAL ID enforcement.
Getting a REAL ID is optional in Pennsylvania, but beginning May 7, travelers will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or ID card, or another form of federally-acceptable identification (such as a valid passport or military ID) to board a domestic commercial flight, and enter a military base or other federal facilities that require ID at the door. More than 2.6 million Pennsylvanians have gotten a REAL ID driver’s license or ID card since they became available in the state in 2019.
“We know that people look forward to traveling with friends and family,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “But after May 7, if you don’t have a REAL ID or a passport, you won’t be able to board a domestic flight. We’re strongly encouraging everyone to make sure you have what you need to travel before you arrive at the airport, especially if you already have flights planned for the summer.”
PennDOT is hosting a series of REAL ID Days at driver license centers across the commonwealth. During these events, centers will be exclusively processing REAL IDs to help Pennsylvanians obtain a REAL ID before the enforcement date. REAL ID Days are held on Mondays when the centers are typically closed. The centers will still be open during their normal hours and people can also get a REAL ID or conduct other driver license business during that time. A complete schedule of REAL ID Days events can be found on PennDOT’s website.
“We don’t want anyone with current or future travel plans to be blindsided when they arrive at the airport and find out they and their families aren’t allowed to fly,” said Jim Garrity, Director of Public Affairs, AAA East Central. “We recommend that everybody stop and think if there will ever be any reason whatsoever that they think they would need to fly domestically, or enter a federal facility. If yes, don’t put REAL ID on hold.”
If you’re not sure whether a REAL ID is right for you, our REAL ID online wizard may be able to help. A passport is still needed for international travel.
“The Erie Regional Airport Authority is thankful for the visit to Erie County by Secretary Carroll. The REAL ID Act, enacted in 2005 following a recommendation from the 9/11 Commission, established minimum security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards,” said Derek Martin, Executive Director of the Erie Regional Airport Authority. “On May 7, 2025, these new, required REAL IDs or an acceptable alternative will be required for domestic air travel and access to certain federal facilities.”
Federal REAL ID regulations require that PennDOT must verify the below documents:
- Proof of Identity: examples include an original or certified copy of a birth certificate filed with the State Office of Vital Records/Statistics with a raised/embossed seal, or a valid, unexpired U.S. Passport.
- Proof of Social Security Number (proof must display currently legal name and full nine digits of the Social Security Number): examples include a Social Security card, a W-2 form, a SSA-1099 form, a non-SSA-1099 form, or a pay stub.
- Two Proofs of Current, Physical PA Address: examples include a current, unexpired PA driver’s license or identification card, vehicle registration, or a utility bill with the same name and address.
- Proof of all Legal Name Changes (if current legal name is different than what is reflected on proof of identity document): examples include certified marriage certificate(s) issued by the County Court for each marriage, court order(s) approving a change in legal name, or adoption decree issued by your county’s family court. Note: If current name is the same as what is reflected on the proof of identity document (usually birth certificate or passport), proof of legal name change does not need to be shown.
More information about REAL ID document requirements can be found at pa.gov/REALID.
When a customer gets their first REAL ID, they will pay a one-time fee of $30, plus the applicable renewal fee (the current renewal fee is $39.50 for a four-year non-commercial driver’s license and $42.50 for a photo ID). The expiration date of their initial REAL ID will include any time remaining on their existing non-REAL ID, plus an additional four years, unless the customer is over 65 and has a two-year license. This expiration date structure means that the customer won’t lose time that they’ve already paid for. After the initial REAL ID expires, the customer will pay no additional fee (beyond regular renewal fees) to renew a REAL ID.
After customers present the proper documentation and pay the applicable fee, customers may obtain a REAL ID by:
- Receiving the product in the mail within 15 days, if application was made at a one of PennDOT’s driver license centers.
- Receiving the product over the counter, if application was made at one of PennDOT’s 15 REAL ID Centers.
Customers who received their first Pennsylvania driver’s license, learner’s permit, or photo ID card AFTER September 1, 2003, may already have their REAL ID documentation on file with PennDOT. These customers can apply for REAL ID pre-verification and order their REAL ID online
For a full list of driver license centers, REAL ID Centers, and services offered, please visit the PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services website and click on Find A Location.
For more information on REAL ID, visit PennDOT’s REAL ID website.
Driver and vehicle online services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and include driver’s license, photo ID and vehicle registration renewals; driver-history services; changes of address; driver license and vehicle registration restoration letters; ability to pay driver license or vehicle insurance restoration fee; driver license and photo ID duplicates; REAL ID pre-verification; and driver exam scheduling. There are no additional fees for using online services.
Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras. 511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional X alerts.
